In a chilling case that highlights the alarming rise of online scams, a 44-year-old IT employee in Hyderabad found himself trapped in a 30-hour ordeal of fear and intimidation orchestrated by cybercriminals posing as Mumbai Police. The victim, who narrowly escaped without losing any money, was subjected to a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scheme that exploited his trust and vulnerabilities.
The nightmare began on the night of October 25th when the victim received text messages claiming his mobile and Aadhaar numbers were linked to a money laundering case in Mumbai. Although initially dismissing these messages as spam, the situation escalated dramatically at 3 am on October 26th when the scammers, posing as Mumbai Police, initiated voice and video calls through an instant messaging app.
Threatening the victim with arrest and demanding ₹40 lakh to clear his name, the scammers instructed him to stay on the call, forbidding him from disconnecting or informing anyone, including his family. The victim, overwhelmed by fear, retreated to a separate room in his house.
To further escalate the fear, the fraudsters sent fabricated documents, including a bogus FIR, arrest warrant, and court petition. These documents, designed to appear legitimate, preyed on the victim’s anxieties and reinforced the credibility of their fabricated narrative.
As the ordeal continued, the scammers demanded access to his bank account details. Upon learning he held ₹25 lakh in fixed deposits and savings accounts, they intensified their threats, claiming the police were en route to his house. To escape this perceived threat, the victim drove 15 km away and checked into a hotel room.
The fraudsters, maintaining their hold over the victim through the phone calls, relentlessly pressured him to make an RTGS payment to secure his release. It was only at 4 am on October 27th, when the fraudulent call finally disconnected, that the victim found the courage to reach out to the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police Station.
Fortunately, the police were able to identify the incident as a scam and provided guidance to the victim, advising him to block the fraudster’s number and assuring him that he was not in any legal trouble. While no formal complaint was filed as the victim did not suffer any financial loss, the experience serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving nature of cybercrime and the need for heightened awareness.
This ‘digital arrest’ scheme, recognized by the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) as a common tactic used by scammers, demonstrates the increasing sophistication of these criminal operations. By leveraging fear and exploiting vulnerabilities, fraudsters are able to manipulate victims into following their instructions, often leading to financial loss or even emotional distress.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder for everyone to stay vigilant against online scams, especially those involving impersonation of law enforcement agencies. By verifying information through official channels, avoiding suspicious calls and messages, and reporting any suspected fraud to authorities, individuals can protect themselves from becoming victims of such insidious schemes.
